Summary: College Athletes Should Be Paid

College athletics have become a very popular commodity throughout college scenes across the nation. They, in turn, tend to bring in a lot of money for these universities, especially along the division 1 and division 2 institutions. Many of these athletes can likely play professionally; however turn down the millions of dollars in order to obtain educational values. Rules regulate whether the athletes can be paid for their efforts within their given sport. The debate is ongoing; as some believe that athletes should be paid given how much money they do bring into the university. Others believe that the college game should be kept amatuerized and should be a learning experience for its participants. Regardless of what decision will be made

There are many pros and cons for and against each argument. As an argument for athletes being paid, college students often struggle with finances when they get to college because it is hard to work and go to school. Krikor Meshefejean states: “There are also student-athletes who have to leave school early because they do not have enough money to continue, or to pay their bills…” Nathan Chaisson of the Collegiated Times also states “Athletes are scrutinized for getting any type of job while on scholarship for their school. Getting paid to play or work in football would be sacrilege.”The money that they obtained would make the college life less stressful on them. They would be able to buy the things that he needed and pay for added luxuries that every college student deems essential. The athletes work very hard at their respective sport. Chris Bellamy states “…if I were busting my ass every day of the week in the weight room, the practice field, the classroom, the library-mostly to the school's advantage-well, that's worth a lot more than a free education, if you ask me.” Playing college athletics is like having a full time job. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Practices tend to take up much of the day and traveling to and from events can take time. Athletes could be paid for their efforts in that they do so much for the program. Other ideas such as: paying athletes

They are amateur athletes and therefore should not be paid.” has been the main idea for those against paying athletes, however, other ideas have come about over the past couple of years. Those against the idea say that athletes playing for pay could affect how they perform in the class room or anywhere else at the school. They can begin to believe that they are above the rules. College Athletics is not meant to be something of proffesionalism. Athletes are told that the college experience is suppose to be about education and friendship. Athletics is an added bonus and luxury to those who partake in it. Athletes are told that in order to retain their amatuerism, they can’t accept any form of pay or compensation. Some believe athletics money should go directly to the academics for universities. “The money generated from college sports should be used to benefit the entire college, not just the individual.” (Jim Winn, para.6) Colleges’ are strict in enforcing this rule because of penalties which can affect any program from the